Lamp housing and electrical terminal construction

ABSTRACT

A lamp housing comprising a base and a transparent wall. The base includes an axial opening through which an electric wire extends. A first terminal is mounted in the base and has a socket forming portion for receiving a bulb and another portion that is axially aligned with the opening and deformed into electrical contact with the end of the wire that extends through the opening. A second terminal is fixed to the base and has a portion contacting the central electrical contact of a bulb. Electrical connections are made to the second terminal by an electrically conductive screw that extends through the second terminal and an opening in the base to the exterior.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,820,060 Smith 1 June 25, 1974 [5 1 LAMPHOUSING AND ELECTRICAL 3,742,429 6/1973 Morrison 339/97 L TERMINALCONSTRUCTION [76] Inventor: John Smith, 505 Cummer Ave.,

Willowdale, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Mar. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:339,378

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No,214,595, Jan. 3,

1972, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 339/220 L, 339/176 L, 339/276 R [51] Int. Cl H01r 9/08 [58]Field of Search 339/182 L, 99 L, 97 L, 339/176 L, 177 L, 220, 276,188 R,219 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,143,301 8/1964Trautner et a1. 339/176 L 3,210,532 10/1965 Woofter et a1......3,581,080 5/1971 Magi 339/188 3,641,481 2/1972 Farrell 339/126 R PrimaryExaminer-Bobby R. Gay

Assistant ExaminerRobert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Barnes,Kisselle, Raisch & Choate [57] ABSTRACT A lamp housing comprising a baseand a transparent wall. The base includes an axial opening through whichan electric wire extends. A first terminal is mounted in the base andhas a socket forming portion for receiving a bulb and another portionthat is axially aligned with the opening and deformed into electricalcontact with the end of the wire that extends through the opening. Asecond terminal is fixed to the base and has a portion contacting thecentral electrical contact of a bulb. Electrical connections are made tothe second terminal by an electrically conductive screw that extendsthrough the second terminal and an opening in the base to the exterior.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures LAMP HOUSING AND ELECTRICAL TERMINALCONSTRUCTION This application is a continuation-in-part of myapplication Ser. No. 214,595, filed Jan. 3, 1972, now abandoned.

This invention relates to lamp housings and particularly lamp housingsincorporating electrical connections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In lamp housings for use with vehicles andthe like, it is desirable to provide a simple, trouble-free constructionthat can be readily assembled, is low in cost, and requires minimumparts.

Accordingly, among the objects of the invention are to provide a novellamp housing and electrical terminal construction which is easy toassemble, utilizes a minimum number of parts, and is low in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A lamp housing comprising a base and atransparent wall. The base includes an axial opening through which anelectric wire extends. A first terminal is mounted in the base and has asocket forming portion for receiving a bulb and another portion that isaxially aligned with the opening and deformed into electrical contactwith the end of the wire that extends through the opening. A secondterminal is fixed to the base and has a portion contacting the centralelectrical contact of the lamp. Electrical connections are made to thesecond terminal by an electrically conductive screw that extends throughthe second terminal and an opening in the base to the exterior.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a lamphousing structure embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of the lamp housing and electricalterminal construction embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the same in assembledcondition.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the same.

FlG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG.2.

DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, the lamp assembly embodying theinvention comprises a plastic base which has a flat bottom wall 11 and aperipheral flange l2 and a transparent hollow plastic lens and reflectorportion 13 which is frictionally engaged with the flange 12 to overliethe wall 11.

The wall 11 is formed with an opening 14 through which an electricalwire 15 extends. Opening 14 is defined by an integral tube 14a molded asa part of base 10. The upper end of tube 14a, as shown in FIG. 2,projects slightly within the confines of flange 12. The lower end oftube 14a projects a substantial distance beneath the wall 11 and isadapted to extend through the wall of the vehicle or the like on whichthe lamp is mounted to protect the wire 15. This obviates the need forany grommet. Wall 11 includes an external groove 11a which is adapted toreceive slack in wire 15. A first terminal 16 of electrically conductivesheet metal is mounted on the wall 11 within the housing and comprises aflat portion 17 and socket forming legs 18 extending outwardly therefromat one end and having intermediate arcuate portions to frictionallyengage a lamp bulb L of the bayonet type. Legs 18 have recesses 18aalong one edge for engaging the radial contacts on bulb L to limit itsmovement axially between the legs. The other end of the terminal 16includes an offset portion 19 provided in axial alignment with theopening 14. The portion 20 is bent into a split cylindrical shape thatis adapted to be crimped onto the end of the electrical wire 15 as shownin FlG. 2. The portion 17 of first terminal 16 is formed with openings21, 22 into which projections 23, 24 integral with the wall 11 extend tolocate the terminal 16. The ends of the projections 23, 24 are heatedand flattened to hold the terminal in place. The wall 11 furtherincludes lugs 25 which frictionally engage the sides of the legs 18 tohold the terminal 16 in position and control the flexing outwardly oflegs 18.

A second terminal 26 of electrically conductive sheet metal is providedand includes a portion 27 that lies against the inner surface of thewall 1 1 and an upstanding portion 28 with a free end 29 that engagesthe end C of the bulb L. Second terminal 26 is located in position onthe wall 11 by a projection 30 on the wall that extends into an opening31 and an upstanding wall 32 that engages the edge 33 of the terminal aswell as the upstanding portion 28 intermediate its ends to control thecontact force of the free end 29 of the end C of the bulb L. The end ofprojection 30 is heated and flattened to pivotally locate the terminal.The terminal is fastened further by a screw 34 that extends through anelongated opening 35 in the portion 27 and an opening 36 in the wall 11to the exterior. A nut 36 is threaded on the screw. This forms theelectrical connection to the second terminal. By loosening the screw 34,the terminal 26 can be pivoted to vary the angular position of theterminal and, in turn, the degree of engagement of upstanding portion 28to control the spring force on the end 29 of the upstanding portion 28.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a lamp constructionwhich utilizes a minimum number of parts wherein the parts can bereadily assembled with the minimum use of tools and proper electricalconnection is assured in a simple and efficient manner.

I claim:

1. In a lamp housing, the combination comprising a plastic housinghaving a base wall,

said wall having an integral tube thereto with a portion of said tubeextending beyond one surface of said wall and defining an openingentirely through said base wall,

a terminal having an intermediate portion and end means fastening thefirst portion of said second ter-' minal to the other surface of saidwall,

said second portion being bent upwardly at an angle to the first portionand having a free end for engaging the end of the lamp bulb.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including an integral projectionextending outwardly from the other surface of said base wall of saidhousing and engaging said second portion of said second terminal forcontrolling the yielding force of said free end with the bulb.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said means fasteningsaid second portion to said other surface of said wall-comprises anintegral projection extending upwardly from the other surface of saidwall through an opening in the first portion of said second terminal andhaving its end deformed.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 including an elongated openingin said first portion and a screw extending through said elongatedopening into said base whereby said first portion and, in turn, saidsecond terminal may be angularly adjusted with respect to the projectionextending through said first portion.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said screw extendsthrough said base for providing an electrical connection to said secondterminal.

6. In a lamp housing, the combination comprising a plastic housinghaving a base wall,

said wall having an integral tube thereto defining an opening entirelythrough said base wall,

a terminal having an intermediate portion and end portions,

means fastening the intermediate portion of said terminal to the othersurface of said base wali,

one said end portion of said terminal being split and defining anopening aligned with the opening in 7. The combination set forth inclaim 6 including an integral projection extending outwardly from theother surface of said base wall of said housing and engaging said secondportion of said second terminal for controlling the yielding force ofsaid free end with the bulb.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said means fasteningsaid second portion to said other surface of said wall comprises anintegral projection extending upwardly from the other surface of saidwall through an opening in the first portion of said second terminal andhaving its end deformed.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 including an elongated openingin said first portion and a screw extending through said elongatedopening into said base whereby said first portion and, in turn, saidsecond terminal may be angularly adjusted with respect to the projectionextending through said first portion.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said screw extendsthrough said base for providing an electrical connection to said secondterminal.

1. In a lamp housing, the combination comprising a plastic housinghaving a base wall, said wall having an integral tube thereto with aportion of said tube extending beyond one surface of said wall anddefining an opening entirely through said base wall, a terminal havingan intermediate portion and end portions, means fastening theintermediate portion of said terminal to the other surface of said basewall, one said end portion of said terminal being split and defining anopening aligned with the opening in said tube for receiving a wire andbeing adapted to be crimped into engagement with the wire, the other endportion of said terminal having spaced ears for encircling the body of alamp bulb, a second terminal having a first portion and a secondportion, means fastening the first portion of said second terminal tothe other surface of said wall, said second portion being bent upwardlyat an angle to the first portion and having a free end for engaging theend of the lamp bulb.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 includingan integral projection extending outwardly from the other surface ofsaid base wall of said housing and engaging said second portion of saidsecond terminal for controlling the yielding force of said free end withthe bulb.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said meansfastening said second pOrtion to said other surface of said wallcomprises an integral projection extending upwardly from the othersurface of said wall through an opening in the first portion of saidsecond terminal and having its end deformed.
 4. The combination setforth in claim 3 including an elongated opening in said first portionand a screw extending through said elongated opening into said basewhereby said first portion and, in turn, said second terminal may beangularly adjusted with respect to the projection extending through saidfirst portion.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein saidscrew extends through said base for providing an electrical connectionto said second terminal.
 6. In a lamp housing, the combinationcomprising a plastic housing having a base wall, said wall having anintegral tube thereto defining an opening entirely through said basewall, a terminal having an intermediate portion and end portions, meansfastening the intermediate portion of said terminal to the other surfaceof said base wall, one said end portion of said terminal being split anddefining an opening aligned with the opening in said tube for receivinga wire and being adapted to be crimped into engagement with the wire,the other end portion of said terminal having spaced ears for encirclingthe body of a lamp bulb, a second terminal having a first portion and asecond portion, means fastening the first portion of said secondterminal to the other surface of said wall, said second portion beingbent upwardly at an angle to the first portion and having a free end forengaging the end of the lamp bulb.
 7. The combination set forth in claim6 including an integral projection extending outwardly from the othersurface of said base wall of said housing and engaging said secondportion of said second terminal for controlling the yielding force ofsaid free end with the bulb.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 7wherein said means fastening said second portion to said other surfaceof said wall comprises an integral projection extending upwardly fromthe other surface of said wall through an opening in the first portionof said second terminal and having its end deformed.
 9. The combinationset forth in claim 8 including an elongated opening in said firstportion and a screw extending through said elongated opening into saidbase whereby said first portion and, in turn, said second terminal maybe angularly adjusted with respect to the projection extending throughsaid first portion.
 10. The combination set forth in claim 9 whereinsaid screw extends through said base for providing an electricalconnection to said second terminal.